Great thread Trini, but a small suggestion. If you don't want it shut down, I'd ask for it to be moved to either pregnancy general section or labour/birthing.

Birth I can't really comment on, but I guess it depends on your location. Homebirth is common and publicly funded in the NT. The program is highly sought after. As are midwives for the bush....but we have a bit more bush than most states lol.

For us a trend is for Obstetricians to be as far away as possible - like if I want one I'd have to travel over 1500km, and we manage very well without one.